The standard way to say “good morning” in French is “bonjour,” but there are a few other things you can say to greet someone in the morning using the French language. Here are some of the most common phrases for you to know.

You would usually use this greeting when addressing an audience rather than when addressing a group of friends or family. It would generally be considered more polite and more commonplace to greet each person in a friendly group individually instead of all at once. If you are in a position that prevents you from doing so, however, "bonjour à tous." becomes appropriate.

Pronounce bonjour à tous as bon-zhoor ah toos, with the “s” sounding close to a soft “z.”

Method3

Other Morning Greetings

1

Say "bon matin" in certain settings.Bon matin is considered incorrect, but can (but shouldn't) be used informally. This translates directly to "good morning," and is therefore considered an angliscism.

This greeting is rarely used in France, but it is used in Québec as an informal greeting between people who are close, such as family members, friends, classmates, or close co-workers.

Matin means "morning."

Pronounce bon matin as bohn mah-tahn.

Try to avoid "Bon matin."

2

Rouse someone awake with "Réveille-toi!"[4] This is an informal way to command someone to wake up when he or she is still asleep in bed.

Use this imperative command with children or loved ones you live with. The phrase should be used to tell someone "wake up!"

The term comes from the reflexive verb "se réveiller," meaning, "to wake oneself." Translated more literally, it means, "wake yourself."

Pronounce réveille-toi as rheh-vay-twa.

3

Tell someone "Lève-toi!"[5] Like “réveille-toi,” “lève-toi” is an imperative command used to rouse someone awake.

Use this command with loved ones you live with, especially sons and daughters or grandsons and granddaughters. It is a casual command and should not be used with anyone you are not on familiar terms with.

This phrase comes from the French reflexive verb "se lever," meaning "to get oneself up" or "to rise."

Pronounce lève-toi as layv-twa.

Score0 / 0

Method 1 Quiz

What does "bonjour" mean when literally translated?

"Hello!"

Not quite! "Bonjour" can be used to say "good morning," "good afternoon" or "hello." However, when literally translated, it actually contains two words: "bon" and "jour." There’s a better option out there!

"Happy morning!"

Try again! "Bonjour" combines the French words "bon" and "jour," neither of which mean morning! While it is used to say "good morning," it can also be used to say "good afternoon" or "hello." Click on another answer to find the right one...

"Good day!"

Yes! "Bonjour" is a combination of the French words "bon" and "jour." "Bon" means "good" and "jour" means "day." Read on for another quiz question.

"Goodbye!"

Nope! “Goodbye” in French is “au revoir," which literally means "until we see again." "Bonjour" is used primarily as a greeting, such as "good morning," "good afternoon" or "hello." Try again...

Score0 / 0

Method 2 Quiz

True or False: "Madame" is the French equivalent of the English "miss."

True

Nope! "Madame" is the French equivalent of the English “Mrs.” A polite way to address someone after saying “bonjour” is to address that person by his or her appropriate title. Choose another answer!

False

That's right! "Mademoiselle" is the French equivalent of the English “miss.” Use this term for unmarried women and pronounce it as mah-dehm-wah-zell. "Monsieur" is the French equivalent of the English “sir” or “mister.” Use this term for any man, married or unmarried, and pronounce it as mer-syer. Read on for another quiz question.

Score0 / 0

Method 3 Quiz

What informal command can you use to rouse someone awake?

"Bon matin!"

Not necessarily! "Bon matin" literally means "good morning," but this greeting is rarely used in France. It is used in Québec, however, as an informal greeting between people who are close, such as family members, friends, classmates or close coworkers. Try another answer...

"Comment allez-vous?"

Definitely not! "Comment allez-vous" means "how are you?" It can be used in any situation, but it is most frequently associated with formal situations, strangers and elders. Try again...

"Bonsoir!"

Nope! "Bonsoir" translates to “good night” or “good evening.” Use it when saying hello to someone at night, rather than saying it as you bid farewell at night. Try another answer...

"Lève-toi!"

Correct! Use this command with loved ones you live with, especially sons and daughters or grandsons and granddaughters. It is a casual command and should not be used with anyone you are not on familiar terms with. Read on for another quiz question.

You're helping people by reading wikiHow

wikiHow's mission is to help people learn, and we really hope this article helped you. Now you are helping others, just by visiting wikiHow.

Barefoot College is a social enterprise with a mission to connect poor rural communities to technology and education. By doing so, they empower individuals to contribute to the wellbeing of their communities.

Click below to let us know you read this article, and wikiHow will donate to Barefoot College on your behalf. Thanks for helping us achieve our mission of helping people learn how to do anything.

Formally, or to a group of people: Comment allez-vous ce matin? (C'mon talley voo seh mahtan), The T is pronounced because the next word starts with a vowel, though is usually not pronounced otherwise. Informally, it is: Comment vas-tu ce matin? C'mon vah too seh mahtan? The N is not pronounced. Very informally to friends and family: Ca va ce matin? Suh vah seh mahtan? It is not always necessary to state whether it is morning or afternoon as the question is usually taken as the present time of day.

"This is something where you can easily understand things, it is easy to search and guarantees resourceful information. What makes this page even better is when you search through it, it gives you exactly what you are looking for."..." more

PP

Prahanna Prahu

Apr 18, 2017

"Helped a lot to know some simple French words with appropriate meanings. Easy to understand."